Blasio’s mayor was frantic and swarmed Friday night by protesters at a Union Square vigil held to protest anti-Asian racism and mourn the victims of Georgia’s massage shootings.
A diverse crowd gathered on 14th Street in Manhattan to demand an end to hate and bias crimes after a lone gunman killed six Asian women and two more people in attacks in the Atlanta area on Tuesday night.
The bad guys lit candles, held placards that said “Stop Killing Us” and “Stop Asian Hate” and laid flowers in front of makeshift memorials, while politicians and advocates addressed the protesters, some of whom angered their anger against Hizzoner.
“What are you going to do about it?” A chorus of people demanded as de Blasio called for the victims of anti-Asian bias crimes to be brought forward, according to social media images.
The mayor was surrounded by a dozen hostile protesters as his caravan left the event, video posted He showed Twitter.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and long-awaited Mayor Andrew Yang were one of the speakers calling for peace and healing at the event organized by the Asian American Federation.
Among those in attendance on the eve was 25-year-old Jayne Ng, a Chinese-American who said she was taking off from the massacre in the south.
“This week has been so hard and annoying,” he said. “So I’m grateful that tonight there were leaders from the Muslim, Hispanic and black communities to speak out and defend the Asian American community. They came out to say they’re here for us.”
Ng, an artist, added that he has experienced anti-Asian hatred first hand.
“As an Asian woman, I have experienced harassment on the subway. Strangers have followed me on the street. I’ve had people call me. I always feel insecure. Live harassment. It’s a sad part of being an Asian woman. We hope that these tragic events can raise awareness. “
Vincent Tang, 40, called on local leaders to take steps to end racial violence.
“I think it helped. We lack solidarity and support. It was good to get together to support us. It was very hopeful to see other non-Asian people here tonight, ”Tang said.
“We have always faced adversity. We have faced racism. We finally come together in a strong community and in general. This is such a diverse city. I finally make sense that it’s time to stand up and support each other and call on our leaders to take action. They are still short. It’s all about talking. No action, “Tang lamented.
The NYPD has recorded a 1300 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes during the coronavirus pandemic and has stepped up patrols in Asian neighborhoods after the killings in the massage parlor.
On Friday night, Kamala Harris, the first Asian-American to serve as vice president, said there were 3,800 hate incidents recorded against the group last year.